Boston Buries Hornets With 1st-Half 3-Point Barrage

Mark Williams Double-Doubles in First NBA Start, Celtics’ White Goes for Career-High 33 PTS

The first post-trade deadline outing was a challenging one for the Charlotte Hornets, as they fell victim to a sensational shooting showcase by the Boston Celtics in a 127-116 loss on Friday night.

LaMelo Ball nearly triple-doubled for the third time this season, finishing with 24 points on 9-of-22 shooting, nine rebounds and a game-high-tying 10 assists in the loss. Terry Rozier had a team-high 27 points and three steals and PJ Washington scored 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting.

Charlotte started off pretty solid, but Boston blew the game open with 11 3-pointers on 58% shooting in the second quarter to take a 71-53 lead into the break. The Celtics sank 16 3-pointers across the opening two quarters – a new franchise record for any half – with Derrick White’s 26 points and seven triples accounting for much of the damage. Boston got the lead up to 28 in the third quarter and despite a late Charlotte push, was able to easily coast to victory.

Like it has been in several recent outings, the 3-point differential was a decisive factor for the Hornets in the loss once again. Charlotte connected on 8-of-23 shots from deep (34.8%), while Boston rode its drive-and-kick game to 25 3-pointers on 55 attempts (45.5%), besting its previous mark for the most by a Hornets’ opponent this season (24 at home on Nov. 28).

“Our effort’s been fine,” said Hornets Head Coach Steve Clifford afterwards. “It’s just the mistakes and the stretches of play where we don’t execute or guys aren’t sure what we’re in, whether it’s organizationally or decision-making. The effort for the most part all year has been really the strength. We just can’t have those lapses of play, especially against a team like this.”

Thursday’s trade of Mason Plumlee to the LA Clippers moved rookie Mark Williams into the starting center spot, where he tallied 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting and a game-high 12 rebounds. And with Jalen McDaniels now in Philadelphia, fellow rookie Bryce McGowens was back in the rotation and had nine points on 4-of-6 shooting and five rebounds off the bench.

Said Clifford on Williams, “Tonight and tomorrow [against Denver] will be the hardest games to play. There are things that he’s done a little bit that now he’s up there against Jayson Tatum and it’s a different world. He’s got a great attitude and he’ll learn quickly. He’s going to be a good player. It’s day-to-day here [with the rotation]. Cody [Martin] comes back, Kelly [Oubre Jr.] will be back soon. Minutes, everything like that is day-to-day with every player.” 

Despite White’s scorching start, Tatum actually ended up leading the Celtics in scoring with a game-high 41 points on 13-of-21 shooting and four assists. White finished with new career highs in points (33) and 3-pointers (eight), Robert Williams III grabbed a game-high 16 rebounds and newcomer Mike Muscala chipped in 12 points in his Celtics debut.

The Hornets will close out their back-to-back and open a three-game homestand against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, Feb. 11 beginning at 7 PM ET at Spectrum Center. Follow all the action on Bally Sports Southeast and WFNZ FM 92.7.